Trolling plates

[jiggin' fool]

I am nearing the purchase of a 1860 Ranger with a 150 Yammy. I really was reluctant to go with this because I do spend a bit of time each year trolling cranks for walleyes.., and didn't want to plunk out another 3-grand for a kicker. I currently own an 18-foot Lund with a 115-Suzi and I love that motor/boat combo. I can idle down to a bit over 1-mph so trolling is/was a breeze, in fact, I had to give her a bit of juice!!!!!! The dealer I am working with told me he installs trolling plates on a lot of motors and everyone is happy with them. He uses the spring-loaded type and said I would notice nothing when running high-end.

Let me know your thoughts folks!!! Are the trolling plates that good.., or are they yet another piece of junk that causes more problems then they are worth?!?!?!?!?!

[boatfixer]

Plates work fine in many situations. You can also rig a drift sock to attach to both corners of the stern.

[marine_man]

I've heard mixed feedback on trolling plates... they work, but too often one forgets about them and shears the roll pin and you're out of luck until you get it replaced... they work, but in somewhat of a band aid type of situation.

Drift Socks to both sides of the boat go a long ways, and I have heard of more people running that way then the trolling plate way.

I'd be tempted to buy the drift socks first and see how they work - if you're not satisfied, then drill holes in your motor and put the plate on.

marine_man

[delmuts]

My brother had one on his boat, and it worked ok. Just make certain you have extra of the sheer pins! You will for get to put it up from time to time!

[moparmarv]

i have a trolling plate on my lund fishermen 1700 with a 110 hp evenrde i love it i can troll down to .5 mph a spring loaded one sounds like a good idea i think they move up as you increase speed by themselves no need to release them when you speed up

[thomps]

I run a rope under the boat between the two bow cleats with two drift socks attached to it. You would not believe the control you gain. It stops the boat from getting blown around and the boat sticks to the water like glue in the rough. I have to give the motor throttle to even get up to 1 mph and that's with a 225! My father had a plate on a previous boat and compared with the dual drift sock system boat control is marginal at best.

[JohnMickish]

Why not just put the right size electric on the front and troll all day with it? I either use a drift sock with the big motor or my electric. Both will run all day with no problem, and the electric is ALOT cheaper to run.

[prosport17]

Right on. The only reason I have the 115 is to get me to the fishing spot first.

[wakeguy]

A little off topic but you should know that Suzuki has a lower gear ratio in the lower unit than the other brands. This means that you typically run a prop that is 2 pitches higher but at an idle, pitch has less of an affect than the prop rpm. I may not be explaining it well but basically a Suzuki 4-S will usually troll slower than any other brand of engine. The other suggested fixes will work but I'm just trying to prevent you from being disappointed with the new engine. That aside, the F150 is a great running engine but a Suzuki DF150 will troll slower.

[marine_man]

To back up your comments.. Suzuki's lower unit ratio on a 140 is 2.59:1, Yamaha's 150 4 Stroke is 2.0:1 and Mercury's 150 Verado is 2.08:1

marine_man